Searching apparatus and searching method

ABSTRACT

A searching apparatus and a searching method are disclosed whereby a storage medium containing a plurality of data items and management data for managing these data items is subjected to a sort based on a sort condition and a search based on a search condition. The data retrieved through the search are displayed in accordance with a given condition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a searching apparatus and a searchingmethod for searching through a storage medium containing a plurality ofdata items and management data for managing these data items, on thebasis of a given search condition.

Personal computers typically incorporate a mass-storage hard disc intheir body. The hard disc allows a user to store data such as aplurality of audio data items. When reproducing a desired audio dataitem from the hard disc, the user searches for a file of the desiredaudio data item from an appropriate folder on the hard disc and puts theretrieved file to execution.

Conventionally, a monitor of the personal computer displays simply amenu of files held on the hard disc. Where there are hundreds of audiodata items retained on the hard disc, a search for a desired file fromamong the displayed menu can be a very tiresome chore for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstancesand provides a searching apparatus and a searching method for permittingan easy search for a desired data item through the data stored on astorage medium and for displaying the result of the search in a readilycomprehensible manner, whereby the ease of use of the apparatus isenhanced.

In carrying out the invention and according to one aspect thereof, thereis provided a searching apparatus for searching through a storage devicewhich holds main data based on a search condition and for displayingdata retrieved through the search, the searching apparatus comprising: amanagement data inputting element for inputting management data formanaging the main data held on the storage device; a storing element forstoring the input management data; a sorting element for sorting, basedon a sort condition, the management data stored by the storing element;a searching element for searching through the management data stored bythe storing element based on a search condition; a condition inputtingelement for inputting the sort condition and the search condition; adisplaying element for displaying results of the search and the sort ona display device connected to the searching apparatus; and a controllingelement for controlling a display location of the management data on thedisplay device in accordance with a degree of relation between themanagement data retrieved through the search and the search condition.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided asearching method for searching through a storage device which holds maindata based on a search condition and for displaying data retrievedthrough the search, the searching method comprising the steps of:inputting management data for managing the main data held on the storagedevice; storing the input the management data; inputting a sortcondition by which to sort the stored management data; sorting thestored management data based on the input sort condition; inputting asearch condition by which to search through the stored management data;searching through the stored management data based on the input searchcondition; and displaying the management data based on results of thesearch and the sort and in accordance with a degree of relation betweenthe management data retrieved through the search and the searchcondition.

With these configurations, the inventive apparatus and method permitsorting of search-use data items stored in association with a pluralityof main data items on the storing element, before allowing the user toinput a search condition by which to search through the main data items.The sorted search-use data are subjected to a search based on the inputsearch condition. Following the search, the search-use data item judgedto be most closely associated with the search condition is displayed ina substantially central location of the screen flanked by the sorteddata items, whereby the visibility of the search result on display isimproved appreciably.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description and theappended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich like parts or elements denoted by like reference symbols.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an information processingapparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the information processing apparatus inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of steps in which data held on an optical disc arecopied to a hard disc;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a menu display screen in effect beforecopying is started;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a menu display screen in effect whilecopying is in progress;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of an information processing apparatusfunction for selecting data to be copied;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are explanatory views of menu display screens ineffect when the data to be copied are selected;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a menu display screen in effect whenthe data to be copied are changed;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of steps in which the data to be copied areselected;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a format in which data are stored ontothe hard disc;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an information processing apparatusfunction for effecting searches through data recorded on the hard disc;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of steps constituting a data search procedure;

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C are explanatory views of search screens beingchanged successively;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of an information processing apparatusfunction for varying the transmission factor regarding each data itemblock on a menu display screen; and

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of a menu display screen on which thetransmission factor is varied block by block.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described byreferring to the accompanying drawings, with the emphasis on aninformation processing apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, an informationprocessing apparatus 1 according to the invention has functionssubstantially similar to those of commonly used personal computers. Theapparatus 1 comprises a body 2, a monitor 3 such as a CRT (cathode raytube) or an LCD (liquid crystal display) connected to the body 2,speakers 10 connected to the body 2; an input unit 4 made up of akeyboard, a mouse, a track ball, and/or a joystick for inputtingoperation signals to the body 2; and a remote controller 5 for remotelycontrolling the body 2.

The apparatus body 2 incorporates a hard disc drive (HDD) 6 that storesan operating system, browsing software, an e-mail program, communicationprotocol settings, application programs, audio data, and other contentdata such as movie data. The body 2 also contains a disc cartridge drive7, an IC card drive 8 and an optical disc drive 9. Each drive functionsas an external storage drive that may have a suitable storage mediumloaded in the body 2 removably. The disc cartridge drive 7 uses a disccartridge 11 housing a magneto-optical disc as a storage medium; the ICcard drive 8 utilizes an IC card 12 containing a semiconductor memory asa storage medium; and the optical disc drive 9 accommodates an opticaldisc 13 such as a CD or a DVD. The apparatus body 2 is connected to anetwork 15 such as the Internet by means of telecommunication lines 14.In addition, the body 2 incorporates receivers which receive TV andradio broadcasts and which are connected to an antenna 16. At the fronttop of the body 2 is an operation unit 17 made of a plurality ofpushbuttons used to execute basic operations of the apparatus body 2.

With the information processing apparatus 1 having the above-describedbody 2, the optical disc 13 such as a CD or a DVD may be loaded into theoptical disc drive 9, the disc cartridge 11 into the disc cartridgedrive 7, or the IC card 12 into the IC card drive 8. From the storagemedium thus loaded into the external storage, recorded content data suchas audio data may be retrieved and saved into the HDD 6. The HDD 6 iscapable of storing content data such as audio data downloaded over thetelecommunication lines 14 through EMD (electronic music distribution)services. The HDD 6 may also store TV and radio broadcast programs.Varieties of content data thus recorded to the HDD 6 may be retrievedtherefrom and listened to through the speakers 10 or viewed on themonitor 3.

The information processing apparatus 1 is capable of copying variouscontent data from the HDD 6 to the external storage such as the disccartridge 11, IC card 12 or optical disc 13. This allows the user toreproduce the copied content data using a suitable portable player inhis or her possession.

With large quantities of content data stored on the HDD 6, theinformation processing apparatus 1 permits easy retrieval of desireddata from among those stored. When furnished with a microphone 18, theinformation processing apparatus 1 allows the user to search for andretrieve the targeted content data by voice.

Furthermore, the information processing apparatus 1 allows the user tobrowse websites or send and receive e-mail when connected to the network15 (Internet) via telecommunication lines 14.

A typical circuit structure of the information processing apparatus 1above will now be described with reference to FIG. 2. The apparatus 1 ismade up broadly of two sections: a computer 21 that carries out diversekinds of information processing, and a system control unit 22 thatcontrols the computer 21.

In the computer 21, a CPU (central processing unit) 23 provides overallcontrol of the computer 21. A memory 24 illustratively composed of a RAM(random access memory) is loaded with data typically from the hard disc,the loaded data being operated on by the CPU 23. A GMCH (graphic memorycontrol hub) 25 incorporating a monitor cache and an image displaycontroller functions as a control unit that controls both access to thememory 24 and image display on the monitor 3. The GMCH 25 also providesan interface between the CPU 23 and other circuits including an ICH (I/Ocontroller hub) 26. A monitor driver 3 a converts video signals to apredetermined signal format before outputting the converted signals tothe monitor 3 for display.

The ICH (I/O controller hub) 26 for controlling data input and outputhas an IDE (integrated drive electronics) interface 27 and a USB(universal serial bus) interface 28. The IDE interface 27 interfaceswith the HDD 6 and optical disc drive 9, while the USB interface 28interfaces with a USB-connectable device such as the microphone 18. Aserial interface 29 controls serial communications and is connected withthe input unit 4 such as the keyboard as well as with a systemmicrocomputer 43. The input from the input unit 4 or from the systemmicrocomputer 43 is forwarded to the ICH 26 through the serial interface29.

A PCI (peripheral component interconnect) bus 30 is connected to a TVtuner 31 and a modem 32 as well as to the ICH 26. The TV tuner 31connected to a TV antenna 16 a receives RF signals therefrom anddemodulates the received signals before outputting the demodulatedsignals onto the PCI bus 30. Illustratively, TV signals are recorded tothe HDD 6 via the PCI bus 30. The TV tuner 31 selectively receives theinput from a video/audio input unit 42 or from the TV antenna 16 a so asto place the selected input onto the PCI bus 30. The modem 32 performsdigital-to-analog or analog-to-digital data conversion and effectsnecessary line control to communicate with external communicationdevices over telephone lines. A network interface 33 permitscommunications through the Ethernet (registered trademark). A soundinterface 34 selectively outputs input audio signals to relevantcircuits. An FM tuner 35 receives FM broadcast signals from an FMantenna 16 b and demodulates the received signals before outputting thedemodulated signals to the sound interface 34.

The disc cartridge drive 7 is loaded with a disc cartridge containing amagneto-optical disc or an optical disc as the storage medium and iscontrolled by the system microcomputer 43. Data are input to and outputfrom the disc cartridge drive 7 through the USB interface 36. The datainput and output may alternatively be effected through an I₂C interfaceconstituting a serial I/O bus. The IC card drive 8 is loaded with an ICcard containing a semiconductor memory as the storage medium. Data inputand output to and from the IC card drive 8 as well as its control arecarried out through the USB interface 36. An IEEE 1394 interface 37controls communications in the IEEE 1394 format and interfaces with thePCI bus 30.

A DIR (digital audio interface receiver) 38 that selectively receivesdigital audio data switches the audio signal to be sent to the outside.Illustratively, the audio signal fed from the disc cartridge drive 7 orfrom the sound interface 34 is forwarded selectively to an audio DSP(digital signal processor) 39 through the DIR 38. The audio DSP 39acting as an audio data processor subjects the audio signal from the DIR38 to equalizing and other necessary signal processes before outputtingthe processed signal to a digital amplifier 40 or an audio output unit41. The digital amplifier 40 amplifies the audio signal to a level highenough for audible output through the speakers 10. The audio output unit41 performs signal level rectification and other relevant processesbefore sending the audio signal to an external device.

The system microcomputer 43 as part of the system control unit 22 isconnected to the serial interface 29 and feeds the input from theoperation unit 17 or remote controller 5 to the CPU 23 or other relevantcircuits through the serial interface 29. A power supply unit 44supplies power to the system microcomputer 43 and other circuits. Undercontrol of the (system microcomputer 43, the power supply unit 44 turnson and off the supply of power to the computer 21.

Described below with reference to the accompanying drawings is anexample in which audio data held on the optical disc 13 placed in theoptical disc drive 9 are copied to the HDD 6 of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 described above.

When the user first operates the operation unit 17, remote controller 5or input unit 4 suitably, the information processing apparatus 1 loadsinto the memory 24 an application program for copying audio data fromthe optical disc drive 9 to the hard disc under control of the CPU 23.The user then loads the appropriate optical disc 13 into the opticaldisc drive 9 of the information processing apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 1 activates theoptical disc drive 9 in step S1 to search a TOC (table of contents) orlike management information on the loaded optical disc 13 for retrievalof the table of data held on the disc. The data retrieved through thesearch are placed into the memory 24. In step S2, the CPU 23 performs asearch through the audio data stored on the HDD 6. In step S3, the GMCH25 under control of the CPU 23 causes the monitor 3 to give a menudisplay of the results of the search. Specifically, the monitor 3displays lists of the audio data held on the optical disc 13 and of theaudio data stored on the HDD 6.

A typical menu display screen 50 for listing the audio data held on theoptical disc 13 and HDD 6 is explained below by referring to FIG. 4. Thescreen 50 includes an optical disc-dedicated display area 51 and a harddisc-dedicated display area 52 arranged side by side. The opticaldisc-dedicated display area 51 shows data contents recorded on theoptical disc, while the hard disc-dedicated display area 52 indicatesdata contents stored on the hard disc. The menu display screen 50 alsoincludes a copying time display area 57 indicating the expected timerequired to copy all selected audio data, and a first indicator area 58that provides a bar chart-like indication showing how far the copying ofthe selected audio data has progressed. Furthermore, the menu displayscreen 50 comprises scroll buttons 62 and 63. The scroll buttons 62 areused to scroll the audio data displayed in the optical disc-dedicateddisplay area 51, and the scroll buttons 63 are operated to scroll theaudio data shown in the hard disc-dedicated display area 52.

The optical disc-dedicated display area 51 includes four subordinateareas: a selection status display area 53 indicating the selected orunselected state of audio data to be copied; a sequence display area 54indicating the recording sequence of the audio data stored on theoptical disc 13; a music title display area 55 showing the titles ofpieces of music; and a playing time display area 56 indicating thereproduction times of the audio data items held on the optical disc 13.The selection status display area 53, sequence display area 54, andplaying time display area 56 have their fields arranged in rows, eachrow of fields being assigned to a single item of audio data stored onthe optical disc 13. In the optical disc-dedicated display area 51, thenumbers in the sequence display area 54 are arranged in such a mannerthat the data item numbered “1” appears in the middle of the area. Underthe data item numbered “1” come those with their numbers arranged inascending order (“2,” “3,” “4,”etc.). Immediately above the itemnumbered “1” appears the last data item with the highest number (“9” inthe example of FIG. 4) followed upwards by the items with their numbersin descending order (“8,” “7,” etc.). In other words, the opticaldisc-dedicated display area 51 displays part of a loop-like datasequence made up of sequentially sorted data item numbers with the firstnumber “1” positioned adjacent to the last number (“9” in FIG. 4), thedata item numbered “1” being located in the middle of the area. As aresult, the optical disc-dedicated display area 51 indicates the audiodata item numbered “1” in the middle of the sequence display area 54,the item numbered “1” being followed downwards by the audio data itemswith their numbers in ascending order and upwards by those with theirnumbers in descending order starting from the highest number. If it isdesired to select a data item not currently displayed, the desired dataitem can be brought into the optical disc-dedicated display area 51 fordisplay by operating the scroll buttons 62 with the operation unit 17,remote controller 5 or input unit 4. With the data item on display, thecorresponding field in the selection status display area 53 may be seteither for the selected or the unselected state.

The selection status display area 53 shows whether each audio data itemis currently selected. The selection status settings in the fields ofthe area 53 may be changed each by operation of the operation unit 17,remote controller 5 or input unit 4. Illustratively, when a given dataitem is selected, a status circle in the corresponding field of thedisplay area 53 is rendered filled; when the data item is unselected,the corresponding circle is rendered blank.

The hard disc-dedicated display area 52 includes a music title displayarea 59 and a size display area 60. The music title display area 59indicates the titles of the pieces of music stored on the HDD 6. Thesize display area 60 shows the data size of each audio data item beingstored.

After obtaining the tables of recorded contents from the optical disc 13and HDD 6, the information processing apparatus 1 displays the acquiredtables (of recorded audio data) in the display areas 51 and 52 on themonitor 3. This allows the user visually to ascertain the audio datastored on the optical disc 13 and HDD 6.

In step S4, in response to the user's operation, the informationprocessing apparatus 1 selects audio data items to be copied to the HDD6 from among the audio data held on the optical disc 13. Specifically,the user clicks on the selection status setting (i.e., circle) in eachfield of the selection status display area 53 using a mouse or the like.The clicks, when detected, cause the information processing apparatus 1to select either the selected state (indicated by a filled circle) orthe unselected state (denoted by a blank circle) for each audio dataitem on display.

In step S5, the user suitably operates the operation unit 17, remotecontroller 5 or input unit 4 causing the information processingapparatus 1 to start copying under control of the CPU 23. The apparatus1 reads the selected audio data items (their status circles shownfilled) in the numbered sequence of the sequence display area 54 andcopies the selected items consecutively to the HDD 6. As an alternative,the copying sequence may be changed as desired by the user.

A typical menu display screen 50 in effect while copying is in progressis described below by referring to FIG. 5. The first indicator area 58showing progress status of all data being copied gradually changes incolor from the leftmost position towards the rightmost position (in stepS6 of FIG. 3). The first indicator area 58 also displays the title ofthe currently copied piece of music, a total data size of the audio datathat have been copied so far, and the ongoing copying speed.

The information processing apparatus 1 displays the currently copiedaudio data item always in the middle of the optical disc-dedicateddisplay area 51 so that the user can immediately recognize which dataitem is being copied. In the example of FIG. 5, the data item numbered“2” is currently copied and its title thus appears in the middle of thedisplay area 51.

The information processing apparatus 1 turns the currently copied audiodata item, i.e., the centrally positioned audio data item, into a block64 that functions as a second indicator area 61 indicating progressstatus of the data item being copied. In the example of FIG. 5, theaudio data item numbered “1” in the sequence display area 54 has alreadybeen copied, as indicated by the second indicator area 61 of that dataitem having completely changed its color. The audio data item numbered“2” in the sequence display area 54 is now being copied, with its colorchanged halfway reflecting progress status of the copying. Each copiedaudio data item (numbered “1” in the case of FIG. 5) is shifted indisplay from the optical disc-dedicated display area 51 to the harddisc-dedicated display area 52, so that the user can visually confirmthat the copying of the audio data in question is indeed complete.

When the copying of all selected data is finished, the informationprocessing apparatus 1 reaches step S7 (FIG. 3). In step S7, theapparatus 1 illustratively causes the monitor 3 to display a screennotifying the user of the completion of the copying.

As explained in the above examples, the user can visually verify bothoverall progress status and progress status of individual audio dataitems. Specifically, the user can see at a glance how far the copying ofthe desired audio data has progressed, which audio data item is beingcopied, and what is the amount of the audio data yet to be copied. Ifthe personal computer happens to be disabled during copying, the user isable to know up to which data item the copying has been completed.

In the example above, the audio data stored on the optical disc 13 havebeen shown copied to the HDD 6. However, this is not limitative of theinvention. Alternatively, the inventive apparatus allows data to becopied in diverse manners:

-   1. from the disc cartridge 11 to the HDD 6;-   2. from the IC card 12 to the HDD 6;-   3. from the HDD 6 to the disc cartridge 11;-   4. from the HDD 6 to the IC card 12;-   5. from the HDD 6 to the optical disc 13;-   6. from the disc cartridge 11 to the IC card 12;-   7. from the disc cartridge 11 to the optical disc 13;-   8. from the IC card 12 to the disc cartridge 11;-   9. from the IC card 12 to the optical disc 13; and-   10. from an EMD (electronic music distribution) service to the HDD    6, disc cartridge 11, IC card 12, or optical disc 13.

The information processing apparatus 1 may illustratively copy audiodata from the IC card 12 to the HDD 6 as mentioned above. In such acase, if any one of the audio data items on menu display is highlightedand switched from the selected state to the unselected state by theuser, then the apparatus 1 also sets all remaining audio data items forthe unselected state; if any one audio data item is switched from theunselected state to the selected state, then the apparatus 1 sets theremaining audio data items for the selected state as well. This featureis intend to simplify the user's data selecting chores by reducing thenumber of selecting operations that need to be performed by the user.

The feature above is described below in more detail by referring to FIG.6. The information processing apparatus 1 is assumed to incorporate inthe memory 24 a selection status holding part 71 that retains statussettings in the selection status display area 53, i.e., the settingreflecting whether each of the audio data held by the IC card 12 in theIC card drive 8 is selected for copying to the HDD 6. In response to theuser's selection status change input from the operation unit 17, remotecontroller 5 or input unit 4, the CPU 23 changes the selection status ofthe highlighted audio data item in the selection status holding part 71.When the user inputs a selected position change from the operation unit17, remote controller 5 or input unit 4, the CPU 23 changes accordinglythe selected audio data item position in the selection status holdingpart 71.

Described below with reference to FIG. 7A is a typical menu displayscreen 72 showing the audio data held in the IC card 12 when the dataare to be copied to the HDD 6. The screen 72 is made up of four majorareas: a selection status display area 73 showing the selected orunselected state of each audio data item which is held in the IC card 12and which may or may not be copied; a music title display area 74indicating the titles of the pieces of music constituted by the audiodata held in the IC card 12; an artist name display area 75 listing thenames of the artists associated with the audio data; and a playing timedisplay area 76 showing the reproduction times of the audio data itemsbeing stored. The menu display screen 72 also includes: a designationbutton 77 used to designate the data item to be copied selectively; anall-designation button 78 used to specify whether or not to select alldata to be copied; a copy start button 79 for starting the copying; andscroll buttons 80 for scrolling the menu display. Thus structured, themenu display screen 72 initially displays the centrally located dataitem (with a music title of “AAAAA” in the example of FIG. 7A) as ablock 81 made different in color from the other data items in order todraw the user's attention. The block with its color thus changed meansit is currently highlighted.

When a given data item is thus highlighted in the menu, thecorresponding setting in the selection status display area 73 is eitherselected or unselected by clicking on the designation button 77 andall-designation button 78 with the operation unit 17, remote controller5 or input unit 4. Clicking on the designation button 77 sets thecurrently highlighted data item either for the selected state (i.e.,status circle shown filled) or for the unselected state (status circleshown blank). Clicking on the all-designation button 78 not only setsthe currently highlighted data item for the selected or unselected statebut also sets all remaining data items for the same state.

As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 8, if the data items on display arescrolled by operation of the scroll buttons 80, the centrally locateddata item in the menu is always shown highlighted. If any block 81 otherthan that of the centrally displayed item is highlighted specifically bythe user manipulating the operation unit 17, remote controller 5 orinput unit 4, then the particularly highlighted data item is positionedin the middle of the menu. In the example of FIG. 8, the data item witha music title of “DDDDD” is brought to the center of the menu either byoperating the scroll buttons 80 or by highlighting specifically the dataitem with the title “DDDDD.”

The data item or items to be copied are selected illustratively asdescribed below with reference to FIG. 9. When the user first operatesthe operation unit 17, remote controller 5 or input unit 4 suitably, theinformation processing apparatus 1 loads into the memory 24 anapplication program for copying audio data from the IC card 12 in the ICcard drive 8 to the HDD 6 under control of the CPU 23. In step S11 ofFIG. 9, the CPU 23 performs a search through the audio data held in theIC card 12, and the GMCH 25 under control of the CPU 23 causes theresult of the search to appear as a menu display screen 72 (shown inFIG. 7A) on the monitor 3. At this point, the GMCH 25 turns thecentrally displayed data item block 81 (with the music title of “AAAAA”)into a color different from that of the other data blocks, highlightingthe block 81. The selection status holding part 71 in the memory 24initially retains the status settings of the data items in the selectionstatus display area 73. Illustratively, the holding part 71 retains asinitial settings all data items being selected in the selection statusdisplay area 73. Obviously, the initial settings may alternatively beconstituted by all data items being unselected. As another alternativeof the initial settings to be retained, only the centrally displayeddata item may be unselected and the remaining items all selected; as afurther alternative, only the centrally displayed data item may beselected and the remaining items all unselected.

In step S12 of FIG. 9, the CPU 23 judges whether any change is made inthe content of the selection status display area 73 to the centrallydisplayed, currently highlighted data item (with the music title of“AAAAA” in FIG. 7A) from the operation unit 17, remote controller 5, orinput unit 4. In other words, a check is made to see whether theall-designation button 78 is clicked. If such change is judged entered,step S13 is reached; if no such change is judged effected, step S17 isreached.

In step S13, the CPU 23 references the selection status holding part 71to see whether the block 81 of the centrally displayed, currentlyhighlighted data item is set for the selected state. If the block 81 isfound set for the selected state, step S14 is reached; otherwise stepS15 is reached.

In step S14, the CPU 23 judges that the block 81 of the centrallydisplayed, currently highlighted data item is in the selected state.Because the change in selection status was entered earlier, the CPU 23proceeds accordingly to replace the selected state with the unselectedstate.

In step S15, the CPU 23 judges that the block 81 of the centrallydisplayed, currently highlighted data item is in the unselected state.In response to the change in selection status made earlier, the CPU 23proceeds in this case to replace the unselected state with the selectedstate.

In step S16, the CPU 23 alters the status indications of the remainingdata item blocks in the selection status display area 73 in accordancewith the previously made change in the block 81 of the centrallydisplayed, currently highlighted data item. That is, if the block 81 ofthe centrally displayed, currently highlighted data item is changed fromthe unselected state to the selected state, then the CPU 23 sets theblocks of all remaining data items for the selected state (thus allstatus circles are shown filled) as depicted in FIG. 7B; if the block 81of the centrally displayed, currently highlighted data item is changedfrom the selected state to the unselected state, then the CPU 23 setsthe blocks of all remaining data items for the unselected state (allstatus circles shown blank) as indicated in FIG. 7C.

If no change was made in step S12 earlier, then the CPU 23 goes to stepS17. In step S17, the CPU 23 checks to see whether any instruction isinput from the operation unit 17, remote controller 5 or input unit 4prompting a change in selection status to any data item block other thanthe block 81 of the centrally located data item. In other words, a checkis made to see if the scroll buttons 80 are clicked or if any data itemother than the centrally located data item is highlighted. If such aninstruction is found entered, step S118 is reached; otherwise theprocessing is brought to an end.

In step S18, the CPU 23 alters the content of the selection statusdisplay area 73 in such a manner that the newly highlighted data item ispositioned in the middle. That is, if the scroll buttons 80 are clicked,the block 81 of the centrally displayed data item is always shownhighlighted. If any data item block other than the centrally locateddata item is highlighted, the newly picked data block is centrallydisplayed and shown highlighted.

As described, if most of the data items held in the IC card 12 need tobe copied, then the user may highlight the block 81 of the selectionstatus display area 73 in the unselected state (with status circle shownblank) and click on the all-designation button 78 to set all data itemsfor the selected state (with status circles now shown filled). Then theuser may highlight unnecessary data item blocks and click on thedesignation button 77 to set each unnecessary data item for theunselected state (with status circle shown blank). If only a few of thedata items retained in the IC card 12 need to be copied, then the usermay highlight the block 81 of the selection status display area 73 inthe selected state (with status circle shown filled) and click on theall-designation button 78 to set all data items for the unselected state(with status circles shown blank). Then the user may highlight thedesired data item blocks and click on the designation button 77 to seteach necessary data item for the selected state (with status circleshown filled). Thereafter the user may click on the copy start button 79to copy the required data from the IC card 12 to the HDD 6. In thismanner, the number of operations to be performed by the user uponcopying is made substantially smaller than if desired data items need tobe individually selected for copying. This feature contributes tosimplifying the user's data selecting chores preparatory to copying.Because the information processing apparatus 1 always displays the dataitem currently highlighted by the user in the middle of the menu, a highdegree of visibility is ensured and thereby the ease of operation isenhanced.

Even if not all data items are displayed on the monitor 3, the stepsdescribed above allow the user easily to change currently invisible dataitems from the selected state to the unselected state or vice versa.With no need for the user to scroll the screen all the time, theoperability of the apparatus is further improved.

In the example above, the audio data stored in the IC card 12 have beenshown copied to the HDD 6. However, this is not limitative of theinvention. Alternatively, the inventive apparatus allows data to becopied in the following cases as well:

-   1. from the optical disc 13 to the HDD 6;-   2. from the disc cartridge 11 to the HDD 6;-   3. from the HDD 6 to the disc cartridge 11;-   4. from the HDD 6 to the IC card 12;-   5. from the HDD 6 to the optical disc 13;-   6. from the disc cartridge 11 to the IC card 12;-   7. from the disc cartridge 11 to the optical disc 13;-   8. from the IC card 12 to the disc cartridge 11;-   9. from the IC card 12 to the optical disc 13; and-   10. from an EMD service to the HDD 6, disc cartridge 11, IC card 12,    or optical disc 13.

As described, the HDD 6 of the information processing apparatus 1 canaccommodate data from diverse storage media: from the optical disc 13,from the IC card 12, or from any EMD service offering its data fordownload. The HDD 6 may be constituted illustratively by a mass-storagehard disc with a storage capacity of 40 gigabytes or thereabout, so thatit can store audio data of up to 5,000 titles.

When audio data are copied from the disc cartridge 11, IC card 12 oroptical disc 13 to the HDD 6, each audio data item saved onto the HDD 6is associated with the name of the album that contains the data item inquestion, the title of the piece of music represented by the data item,the name of the artist involved with the audio data, and the date andtime of data recording to the HDD 6, as shown in FIG. 10. The albumnames, music titles, artist names, and the dates and times of recordingserve each as a keyword for a subsequent search through the audio datathus stored on the HDD 6.

How audio data are saved onto the HDD 6 is described below by referringto FIG. 11. Audio data are first input from the video/audio input unit42, disc cartridge drive 7, IC card drive 8, or optical disc drive 13.The input audio data are forwarded through the sound interface 34 andrecorded to the HDD 6. In that case, a ripping unit 91 either includedin the sound interface 34 or constituted by software converts the audiodata to a format suitable for storage onto the HDD 6. Before beingwritten to the HDD 6, all audio data items are associated with relevantalbum names, music titles, artist names, and dates and times ofrecording. The audio data are compressed illustratively by a methodknown as ATRAC3 (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding 3; trademark) beforebeing copied to the HDD 6.

Alternatively, the audio data may be compressed by such methods asMPEG-2AAC (Moving Picture Experts Group 2 Advanced Audio Coding;trademark), MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3; trademark), TwinVQ(Transform-Domain Weighted Interleave Vector Quantization; trademark),MS Audio (WMA: Windows Media Audio; trademark), or Ogg Vorbis(trademark).

The album names, music titles and artist names to be associated with thecompressed audio data in storage are entered through the operation unit17, remote controller 5 or input unit 4. Instead of manipulating theoperation unit 17, remote controller 5 or input unit 4 in entering thealbum names, music titles and artist names, the user may gain accesseither to an external database through the network 15 or to an internaldatabase built on the HDD 6 in order to acquire the necessary dataentries. The dates and times of audio data recording are established byreferring to a built-in clock of the apparatus body 2.

When reproducing audio data from the HDD 6, the user selects the desiredaudio data item. The CPU 23 retrieves the selected audio data item fromthe HDD 6 and subjects the retrieved data item to a reproductionprocess. The process is carried out by a reproduction unit 92 made up ofthe sound interface 34, audio DSP 39, and digital amplifier 40. Afterdecompressing the audio data item from its compressed state, thereproduction unit 92 subjects the data to suitable signal processes suchas equalizing and outputs the data thus processed through the speakers10.

The information processing apparatus 1 retains on its HDD 6 searchsoftware that allows the user to search for and retrieve desired audiodata items from among the numerous audio data items stored on the HDD 6.For data search purposes, the information processing apparatus 1 has twofunctionally distinct units: a sorting unit 93 and a search unit 94,both constituted by software.

A sort condition is input to the sorting unit 93 from the operation unit17, remote controller 5 or input unit 4. Specifically, the sorting unit93 first admits the sort condition in terms of an album name, a musictitle or an artist name. Given the condition, the sorting unit 93 sortsthe data held on the HDD 6 alphabetically, in the order of the Japanesesyllabary, or in any other suitable order by referring to the albumnames, music titles or artist names associated with the stored data. Ifthe user enters a date and a time of recording as the sort condition,the sorting unit 93 sorts the audio data held on the HDD 6chronologically or in reverse chronological order with reference totheir dates and times of recording. The sorting unit 93 then causes themonitor 3 to display the data thus sorted as shown in FIG. 13B. Thesorted data are arranged into a loop-like data sequence with the firstdata item positioned adjacent to the last data item.

The search unit 94 receives a keyword for search in terms of characterdata from the operation unit 17, remote controller 5 or input unit 4.The search unit 94 may also admit from the microphone 18 a keyword inthe form of audio data having undergone a voice recognition process. Asearch for the data item identified by the keyword is effected by thesearch unit 94 comparing the entered keyword with the album names, musictitles or artist names of the audio data held on the HDD 6. The resultof the search is displayed on the monitor 3. Specifically, if characterdata are entered as the keyword from the operation unit 17, remotecontroller 5 or input unit 4, the search unit 94 performs a matchingprocess starting from the first character string of the album names,music titles or artist names for search purposes, and displays theresult of the search on the monitor 3 as shown in FIG. 13C. If thekeyword is input by voice from the microphone 18, the search unit 94compares the recognized voice with the character strings of the albumnames, music titles or artist names for search purposes, and displaysthe result of the search on the monitor 3 likewise.

In the case above, the search unit 94 positions the audio data item thatmatches or is the closest to the keyword in the middle of the menu andhighlights that item in a color different from that of the other audiodata items on the monitor 3. The reason why the audio data item thatmatches or is the closest to the keyword is centrally displayed is thatthe position attracts the user's attention most effectively; thecentrally located data item is highlighted because that item is mostlikely to be reproduced by the user's next operation. Furthermore, thesearch unit 94 shifts the loop-like data sequence sorted by the sortingunit 93, in such a manner that the audio data item that matches or isthe closest to the keyword is always displayed in the middle of themenu, flanked by the closely related data items on the monitor 3. Underthe centrally displayed data item come the ensuing data items sorted bythe sorting unit 93 and arranged downwards in sequential order; abovethe centrally displayed data item are the preceding data sorted likewisebut arranged upwards in the reverse order. It should be noted that thenumber of the data items shown included in the result of the search isnot limited to what is shown in the figures.

Described below with reference to FIG. 12 is how a search is typicallymade through audio data. When the search program is started, theinformation processing apparatus 1 causes the monitor 3 to display amenu display screen 101 as shown in FIG. 13A. The menu display screen101 shows a menu of audio data items that were read into the memory 24before being stored on the HDD 6. Each audio data item is shownassociated with the name of the album that contains the data item inquestion, the title of the piece of music represented by the data item,the name of the artist involved with the audio data, and the date andtime of data recording to the HDD 6. These audio data items areindicated randomly on the menu display screen 101.

In step S21 of FIG. 12, the sorting unit 93 admits a sort condition fromthe operation unit 17, remote controller 5 or input unit 4. In step S22,the sorting unit 93 sorts the audio data in accordance with the inputsort condition and displays the result of the sorting on the monitor 3.In the example of FIG. 13B, an artist name is entered as the sortcondition. In response, the sorting unit 93 sorts the stored artistnames illustratively in alphabetical order, and the sorted data arearranged into a loop-like data sequence with the first data itempositioned adjacent to the last data item. That is, in the example ofFIG. 13B, the music title “AAAAA” associated with the first artist name“Ann” is shown adjacent to the music title “YYYYY” linked to the lastartist name “Tom.”

In step S23, the search unit 94 admits character data as the keyword forsearch from the operation unit 17, remote controller 5 or input unit 4.Alternatively, the search unit 94 may admit from the microphone 18 thekeyword in the form of audio data having undergone a voice recognitionprocess. In step S24, the search unit 94 performs a search by comparingthe input keyword with the album names, music titles or artist names ofthe audio data which were read into the memory 24 before being stored onthe HDD 6. The result of the search is displayed on the monitor 3. Forexample, FIG. 13C shows a screen indicating the result of the searchwith a music title of “QQQQQ” used as the keyword. The music title“QQQQQ” that matched the keyword is highlighted and displayed in themiddle of the display. Under the centrally displayed data item come theensuing data items sorted by artist name and arranged downwards insequential order (“John,” “Tom,” etc.); above the centrally displayeddata item are the preceding data also sorted by artist name but arrangedupwards in the reverse order (“John, “Bob,” etc.).

In the example above, the audio data items are sorted by artist namebefore being subjected to the search based on the keyword of a musictitle. As a result, the screen of FIG. 13C allows the user not only tosearch for the desired audio data item but also to check the music titleof the artist associated with the data item in question.

For search purposes, audio data items may be sorted and searched forthrough different fields as described above, and may also be sorted andsearched for in the same field. For example, if the music titles aresorted alphabetically, in the order of the Japanese syllabary, or in anyother suitable order before being subjected to the search with a desiredmusic title used as the keyword, the audio data item that matches or isthe closest to the keyword is displayed in the middle of the menu,flanked vertically by the closely related data items. Even if thecentrally displayed data item is not identical to what is desired, thenecessary data item can likely be found nearby. As opposed to the aboveexample in which the audio data items are initially sorted followed bythe search for the target data item, the desired data item may be firstsearched for by use of the keyword and the result of the search may thenbe sorted based on a certain sort condition. Although the data held bythe HDD 6 alone were shown subject to the search in the example above,this is not limitative of the invention. Alternatively, the sorting ofand the search for desired data may also be carried out on the disccartridge 11, IC card 12, optical disc 13, or a server connected throughthe network.

The menu display screen 50, 71 or 101 discussed above is displayed insuperposed fashion on a background image. When any audio data itemretrieved by the above-described search is reproduced, the monitor 3shows as a background image a spectrum display of the audio data beingplayed. Illustratively, all audio data being reproduced and outputthrough the sound interface 34 are subject to fast Fouriertransformation or other suitable processes for frequency analysis by theinterface 34. Spectrum data derived from the analysis under control ofthe sound interface 34 are turned into a matching background image thatis displayed on the monitor 3.

The menu display screen 50, 71 or 101 superposed on the background imageshows the blocks of data items in menu form with different transmissionfactors. This feature is designed to enhance the visibility of the dataon display.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the information processingapparatus 1 comprises a first mixer 111 and a second mixer 112, bothimplemented illustratively by software. Take, as an example, the menudisplay screen 101 that displays the result of the search. The firstmixer 111 admits background image transmission factor data about eachdata item block as well as background image data, the transmissionfactor data being retrieved from a transmission factor table held insuitable storing means such as the HDD 6. As shown in FIG. 15, thetransmission factor of a block 102 a containing the centrally displayeddata item that matches or is the closest to the keyword is set for zeropercent relative to a background image 110. The transmission factor foreach of the neighboring blocks around the centrally located data itemblock 102 a is made progressively higher relative to the backgroundimage 110 the farther the neighboring block away from the centrallocation. The first mixer 111 outputs to the second mixer 112 thebackground image data based on the varying transmission factors.

The second mixer 112 admits the background image data based on thedissimilar transmission factors, as well as character data made up ofthe album names, music titles, artist names, and recording times to bedisplayed in the blocks 102. The second mixer 112 mixes the characterdata with the transmission factor-based background image data andoutputs the result of the data mixture to the monitor 3 for display.

The screen displayed on the monitor 3 in the case above is describedbelow in more detail by referring to FIG. 15. The centrally locatedblock 102 a containing the audio data item that matches or is theclosest to the keyword is given the lowest transmission factor of zeropercent. That is, the background image 110 is totally hidden by theblock 102 a so that the block 102 a attracts the user's highestattention. The upper and lower blocks 102 b adjacent to the block 102 aare given a slightly higher transmission factor barely allowing thebackground image 110 to be seen through. This allows the character datain the two adjacent blocks 102 b to appear clearly and thus attract theuser's second-highest attention next to the central block 102 a. Thenext upper and lower blocks 102 c adjacent to the blocks 102 b are givena bit higher transmission factor than the blocks 102 b relative to thebackground image 110. That is, the blocks 102 c have a lower brightnesslevel than the blocks 102 b and thus attract the user's third-highestattention next to the blocks 102 b. The next upper and lower blocks 102d adjacent to the blocks 102 c are given a still higher transmissionfactor than the blocks 102 c relative to the background image 110. Inthis example, the blocks 102 d have the highest transmission factor andappear the darkest relative to the background image 110, attracting theuser's attention the least. In other words, the blocks flanking thecentrally located block 102 a are given progressively highertransmission factors relative to the background image 110 the fartherthe block away from the central location; the character data in eachblock appear increasingly unclear the closer the block to the upper orlower edge of the menu.

According to the displaying method described above, the centrallylocated block 102 a is assigned the lowest transmission factor of zeropercent relative to the background image 110. The neighboring blocks 102b through 102 d are each given a progressively higher transmissionfactor the farther the block away from the central location. That meansthe display data appear increasingly darker the closer the block to theupper or lower edge of the menu against the background image 110. Onthat display screen, the user's attention is first drawn to thecentrally located block 102 a before being attracted to the neighboringblocks in reverse proportion to their transmission factors. This featureis intended to enhance the visibility of the data items being displayed.

The above manner of controlling the transmission factor relative to thebackground image 100 may also apply to the menu display screen 50, 71 or101 described earlier. It will be appreciated that the transmissionfactor of the centrally displayed block 102 a relative to the backgroundimage 110 is not limited to zero percent as long as the central blockattracts the user's highest attention, as shown on the menu displayscreen 50, 71 or 101. As an alternative to the above setup in which thetransmission factor is varied block by block, the factor may be raisedin a gradual, stepless fashion vertically on both sides of the centrallylocated block 102 a.

In the example above, the progressively raised transmission factors ofthe blocks 102 b through 102 d relative to the background image 110 asthey approach the upper or lower edge of the menu are implemented by useof the transmission factor table established on the HDD 6.Alternatively, since the information processing apparatus 1 hassubstantially the same functions as those of personal computers, theapparatus 1 need not have recourse to the transmission factor table.Depending on its diverse kinds of software installed, the informationprocessing apparatus 1 may provide various menu screen displays. Whenany one of such displays is effected, the apparatus 1 may compute thetransmission factor in terms of distance away from the centrally locatedblock and then provide a menu display screen on which the transmissionfactors of varying display locations are determined according to theresult of the computation relative to the above-mentioned backgroundimage 110.

The functions and features of the information processing apparatus 1described above may be implemented either by hardware or by software.For the software-based processing to take place, programs constitutingthe software may be installed onto the HDD 6 either from the disccartridge 11, IC card 12 or optical disc 13 loaded in the disc cartridgedrive 7, IC card drive 8 or optical disc drive 9; or from an externalsource following a download process over the network 15.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been describedusing specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposesonly, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

1. A searching apparatus for searching through a storage device whichholds main data based on a search condition and for displaying dataretrieved through the search, said searching apparatus comprising:management data inputting means for inputting management data formanaging said main data held on said storage device; storing means forstoring the input management data; sorting means for sorting, based on asort condition, said management data stored by said storing means;searching means for searching through said management data stored bysaid storing means based on a search condition; condition inputtingmeans for inputting said sort condition and said search condition;displaying means for displaying results of said search and said sort ona display device connected to said searching apparatus; and controllingmeans for controlling a display location of said management data on saiddisplay device in accordance with a degree of relation between saidsearch condition and said management data retrieved through said search,wherein if, as a result of said sort performed by said sorting means, ahead data item heading said management data and an end data item at anend of said management data are both displayed on said display device,then the head and end data items are displayed adjacent to one another.2. A searching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, if said degreeof relation between the retrieved management data and said searchcondition is high, the applicable management data are centrally locatedamong other data when displayed on said display device.
 3. A searchingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein said displaying means displays abackground against which said management data is displayed, and whereinsaid background is given a lower transmission factor for the centrallydisplayed data than for the other data.
 4. A searching apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said searching means performs said searchafter said sorting means has carried out said sort.
 5. A searchingmethod for searching through a storage device which holds main databased on a search condition and for displaying data retrieved throughthe search, said searching method comprising steps of: inputtingmanagement data for managing said main data held on said storage device;storing the input management data; inputting a sort condition by whichto sort the stored management data; sorting said stored management databased on the input sort condition; inputting a search condition by whichto search through said stored management data; searching through saidstored management data based on the input search condition; anddisplaying said management data based on results of said search and saidsort and in accordance with a degree of relation between said searchcondition and said management data retrieved through said search,wherein if, as a result of said sort, a head data item heading saidmanagement data and an end data item at the end of said management dataare both displayed on said display device, then the head and end dataitems are displayed adjacent to one another.
 6. A searching methodaccording to claim 5, wherein, if said degree of relation between theretrieved management data and said search condition is high, thenapplicable management data are centrally located among other data whendisplayed on said display device.
 7. A searching method according toclaim 6, further comprising a step of displaying a background againstwhich said management data is displayed, wherein said background isgiven a lower transmission factor for the centrally displayed data thanfor the other data.
 8. A searching apparatus for searching through astorage device which holds main data based on a search condition and fordisplaying data retrieved through the search, said searching apparatuscomprising: management data inputting means for inputting managementdata for managing said main data held on said storage device; storingmeans for storing the input management data; sorting means for sorting,based on a sort condition, said management data stored by said storingmeans; searching means for searching through said management data storedby said storing means based on a search condition, wherein saidsearching means performs said search after said sorting means hascarried out said sort; condition inputting means for inputting said sortcondition and said search condition; displaying means for displayingresults of said search and said sort on a display device connected tosaid searching apparatus; and controlling means for controlling adisplay location of said management data on said display device inaccordance with a degree of relation between said search condition andsaid management data retrieved through said search; wherein if, as aresult of said sort performed by said sorting means, a head data itemheading said management data and an end data item at an end of saidmanagement data are both displayed on said display device, then the headand end data items are displayed adjacent to one another.
 9. A searchingapparatus according to claim 8, wherein, if said degree of relationbetween the retrieved management data and said search condition is high,the applicable management data are centrally located among other datawhen displayed on said display device.
 10. A searching apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein said displaying means displays abackground against which said management data is displayed, and whereinsaid background is given a lower transmission factor for the centrallydisplayed data than for the other data.
 11. A searching method forsearching through a storage device which holds main data based on asearch condition and for displaying data retrieved through the search,said searching method comprising steps of: inputting management data formanaging said main data held on said storage device; storing the inputmanagement data; inputting a sort condition by which to sort the storedmanagement data; sorting said stored management data based on the inputsort condition; inputting a search condition by which to search throughsaid stored management data; searching, after said sorting, through saidstored management data based on the input search condition; anddisplaying said management data based on results of said search and saidsort and in accordance with a degree of relation between said searchcondition and said management data retrieved through said search;wherein, if said degree of relation between the retrieved managementdata and said search condition is high, then applicable management dataare centrally located among other data when displayed on said displaydevice; wherein if, as a result of said sort, a head data item headingsaid management data and an end data item at the end of said managementdata are both displayed on said display device, then the head and enddata items are displayed adjacent to one another.
 12. A searching methodaccording to claim 11, further comprising a step of displaying abackground against which said management data is displayed, wherein saidbackground is given a lower transmission factor for the centrallydisplayed data than for the other data.